I went in for a non-stress test and an ultrasound when I was 40 weeks and 2 days pregnant with my first child. I thought it was going to be a simple appointment to just check on my baby and make sure he was all right. Shannon was the nurse conducting the non-stress test and she was there when my doctor came and told me I needed to be induced that day for the safety of my baby. I was scared and confused and worried about my child, and Shannon comforted me and got me settled into my room while my husband went home to grab our bags.

I had a long labor and Shannon’s kindness is what stuck out to me. As I was in pain and tears, she always calmed me down, and when I was delivering my son, she held my hand and kept reminding me to breathe. Even after, she was incredibly patient and helpful while teaching me how to breastfeed, and I called her in quite a few times to help.

Once her shift was done, she came and said goodbye to me, thinking she wouldn’t see me again as she was off the next couple of days and I should have been discharged by that time. Due to complications, I was still there when her next shift came around. I was nursing my newborn when I was suddenly very cold and began violently shaking. I pressed the call button and was grateful that Shannon was the one to answer. She took my baby and made sure he was safe and then attended to me. My body was starting to shut down and she knew she couldn’t leave me alone. She hugged me and tried to help me the best she could until more help came, which it did very quickly. My heart rate was extremely high, my oxygen levels were low, my skin was losing its color and I started to feel my hands and feet go numb. I was honestly scared I was going to lose my life just after giving birth to my first child. Shannon as well as multiple other nurses and my OB doctor began giving me medication and ran tests on me to try to pinpoint the issue. Clearly, I am still here today and that’s thanks to all those nurses as well as Shannon.

From helping me at the very beginning with the induction and delivery to being there for me when my body started to shut down, Shannon helped me without any hesitation. She did more than just her job, in the sense of taking care of me and giving me medication, all the things a nurse would normally do. She did more by showing true compassion and caring for me during my highs and lows in the hospital. She touched mine, my husband's, and our child’s lives in a way more than anyone can imagine. We are all truly grateful for her and the care she showed as well as the work she put in. We want to thank Shannon for everything she did.